EFL Championship | Gameweek 43

Apr 18, 2025 at 3pm UK

Vicarage Road

Watford vs Burnley

Match preview

Watford's lingering play-off hopes have been dashed by a poor run of form that has seen them win just two of their last eight games (D2, L4).

In fact, the Hornets have lost three of their last five games, including a narrow 2-1 defeat away at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, leaving them seven points adrift of the top six with just four games remaining.

While a top-six finish looks highly unlikely, Watford will still be keen to make an impact in Friday's tricky clash with a promotion contender, especially as they have the chance to extend their three-match unbeaten home run.

Tom Cleverley's side have kept clean sheets in each of those three home games since conceding a couple of goals in a 2-1 defeat to Millwall last month.

Watford's hopes of condemning Burnley to just their third Championship defeat of the season will be dampened by the fact they have won just three of their previous 21 league games on Good Friday (D11, L7).

If nothing else, they will take inspiration from the 1-0 victory they recorded in their last home meeting with Burnley in August 2022, which gave them the chance to record back-to-back home wins over the Clarets for the first time in 30 years.

Burnley will go into Friday's clash with plenty of momentum after defeating Norwich City at home on Saturday to extend their unbeaten league run to 29 games (W18, D11).

Hannibal Mejbri and Jaidon Anthony both scored to lead Burnley to their fourth win in five games and move level on points with leaders Leeds United with just four games remaining.

Crucially, the Clarets now sit six points clear of third-placed Sheffield United, who they face in a crucial home clash on Easter Monday.

Before looking to maintain their unbeaten home record in the Championship, Burnley will be looking to complete a league double when they travel to Watford on Friday, having won 2-1 in the reverse fixture in December.

Scott Parker's side will be confident of shutting down Watford's attacking threat, with the visitors boasting the best defensive record in the Championship having conceded just 13 goals in 42 games.

Indeed, Burnley have kept 11 clean sheets in their last 14 away league games, helping the Clarets to the best away record in the division with 43 points from 21 away games.

Recent Performance

Watford Championship form:WLDLWL

Burnley Championship form:DWWWDW

Team News

Watford are without Yasser Larouci, Giorgi Chakvetadze, Kwadwo Baah and Angelo Ogbonna.

Defender Kevin Keben is in contention for a place in the matchday squad after recovering from an injury that kept him out of the last eight games.

Rocco Vata is pushing for a recall after coming off the bench to play around 30 minutes in the recent defeat at West Brom.

The visitors will be without Jordan Beyer, Aaron Ramsey, Manuel Benson, Jonjo Shelvey and Mike Tresor.

Parker is hopeful that Lyle Foster will be able to return to action this season, although the striker is unlikely to be fit for Friday's clash.

The Burnley boss may opt for consistency and stick with the same side that started last weekend's narrow win over Norwich.

Possible starting lineup

Watford possible starting lineup:

Selvik; Ngakia, Pollock, Abankwah, Wiley; Louza, Dele-Bashiru; Sissoko, Kayembe, Vata; Doumbia

Burnley possible starting lineup:

Trafford; Roberts, Egan-Riley, Esteve, Pires; Cullen, Brownhill; Edwards, Mejbri, Anthony; Flemming